Lionel Messi Inspires Kimi Antonelli Ahead of Miami Grand Prix
Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi seemingly brought good fortune to Mercedes Formula One driver Kimi Antonelli at the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.
Prior to the race, Antonelli welcomed former FC Barcelona star Messi into his car, where they posed for photos alongside fellow Mercedes driver George Russell. This encounter with the iconic Argentine soccer player fulfilled a long-held dream for the race car driver.
“When [Messi] was playing in Barcelona, I was a big, big fan of him,” Antonelli told Argentine sports journalist Sofi Martinez in a clip published in March 2026. “I would love to meet him one day.”
Meeting one of his favorite soccer icons was just the start of an exceptional day for Antonelli, who made history on Sunday.